The U.S. Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) is currently exploring web-based simulation technologies to support Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) environments. One emerging industry standard is the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) which allows stunning three-dimensional images to be delivered over the World Wide Web (WWW). Leveraging the constantly increasing power of the personal computer (PC) and Internet communication technologies, these three dimensional simulation environments can be delivered anytime-anywhere.
Several prototype VRML applications have been developed for STRICOM to demonstrate the benefits of three-dimensional modeling and simulation environments in support of ADL. This paper will outline the VRML applications developed thus far, including a simulator that uses VRML and the High Level Architecture (HLA) to allow multipledesktop PCs to engage in a virtual battle over the Internet. In addition, the paper will examine other emerging Internet standards from the Web3D Consortium and ADL's Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model (SCORM) to determine how they will impact the use of three dimensional simulations in future web-based training environments.
Mr. Rodney Long is the Principal Investigator for research in Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) for the U.S. Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation Command and serves as the Associate Director of the Joint ADL Co-Laboratory. Mr. Long holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of South Carolina and an Masters of Science in Industrial and Engineering Management Systems from the University of Central Florida. Mr. Long has over 13 years of experience in modeling and simulation for the military training community.
Mr. Robert Anschuetz is a senior software engineer for Veridian and is the Project Manager for the "Web-Based Modeling and Simulation for Advanced Distributed Learning" project. Mr. Anschuetz holds a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Eastern Michigan University.